Based on what you know about America in the 1700s, how would colonists react to Edwards’s sermon? Would they find it frightening, hopeful, or both?

Answer 1

Based on the context of America in the 1700s, colonists would likely have varied reactions to Edwards's sermon, with some finding it to be both frightening and hopeful.

Edwards's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was delivered during the period known as the Great Awakening, which was characterized by religious fervor and a focus on personal salvation. During this time, religious revivals swept through the American colonies, causing people to question their spiritual state and seek redemption. Thus, many colonists would have been primed for a message that emphasized the wrath of God and the consequences of sin.

The sermon itself utilized vivid language and frightening imagery to describe the damnation that awaited sinners. Edwards described the punishment of God as an imminent danger, with sinners being held over the fiery pit of Hell, dangling by a thread that could snap at any moment. This emphasis on God's wrath and the fragility of human existence would undoubtedly have struck fear into the hearts of many colonists, invoking a sense of terror and anxiety.

However, amidst the fear, Edwards's sermon also offered a glimmer of hope for salvation. He emphasized that it was only through God's grace and mercy that sinners could escape damnation. By pleading with his audience to repent and turn to faith, Edwards presented an opportunity for redemption and a chance to reconcile with God. The message of hope embedded within the sermon would have resonated with some colonists who were seeking spiritual solace and guidance during this period of religious awakening.

In conclusion, colonists in the 1700s would likely have found Edwards's sermon to be both frightening and hopeful. The vivid imagery and emphasis on divine wrath would have instilled fear in many, while the promise of God's grace and redemption offered hope for those seeking spiritual salvation.